Showing posts with label live. Show all posts
Showing posts with label live. Show all posts

Friday, November 03, 2017

Willie Watson Folks the House

Higher Ground 11.2.17
Watching Willie Watson do his solo show for the second time at Higher Ground in South Burlington last night, I was impressed by the change in his performance in two short years.

The last time he came through town he was greener to his new life as a solo performer with Folk Singer Vol. 1 — following a breakup with Old Crow Medicine Show.

Since then he's added stage presence.

He's added schtick. He tells stories, so capably Arlo Guthrie kept coming to mind. Ketch Secor, his former bandmate, and Dave Rawlings — his producer, friend, and fellow bandmate currently — kept popping into my head, too.*

His singing is better, not that it had much room to grow. I hailed him as one of the all-time folk music greats the instant he went solo, right up there with Pete Seeger and the rest.

His opening song ("Leaving Blues"?) from Folksinger Vol. 2** was a revelation. Who can render a folk song any better than that?

*and my friend from college (sorry, Larry).
**the first volume did indeed come out with "Folk singer" as two words and the second volume is titled "Folksinger" one word.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Danny Knicely Appearing in Greensboro, Vermont - 11.18.17

The great Danny Knicely of Virginia appears with Autoharp Hall of Fame member Bryan Bowers and New England singer and multi-instrumentalist Geoff Goodhue.

With Beg, Steal or Borrow, winner 2017 Podunk Bluegrass Festival Band Competition.

"Come together for a special evening of American folk and Mountain Music."

VENUE: Highland Center for the Arts
ADMISSION: $20 in advance; $25 day of show
ADDRESS: 2875 Hardwick Street, Greensboro, VT 05841
INFO: 802-533-9075; info@highlandartsvt.org

Podunk Winners

Friday, November 18, 2016

Blues Artist Eli Cook Appears at 42 Maple in Bethlehem: 11.19.16 @ 7pm

Eli Cook from Virginia

 “AMONG THE TOP 3 SOLO BLUES ARTISTS WORLDWIDE" - Blues Matters Magazine

"The best blues singer of his generation..." - All Music Guide

Eli Cook’s blues expresses raw honesty in a unique blend of contemporary and old-school styles, creating an original sound.

WHO: Eli Cook
WHAT: solo performance
WHEN: Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 7-10pm
WHERE: 42 Maple Street, Bethlehem, New Hampshire 03574
HOW: tix $30

Sunday, May 01, 2016

Open Mic at Phoenix Books in Burlington

For the second time in as many years I crossed the state for the opportunity to share some of my poetry with Burlington appreciators—and my fellow Poetry Society of Vermont (PSOV) members—at an open mic held at Phoenix Books on Saturday, April 23.

The energy, size of the crowd, and number of poets rhyming (like Sam Hewitt, Geoff's nephew) were all good last year, so I thought I'd give it another try.

In the first round, I read from my recent poems (all searchable at this blog):
  • "That Green Roof" life (4.17.16)
  • "Life's a Country Song" life (3.11.16)
  • "Impossible Dreams" life (3.11.16)
  • "A Little Elf" life (3.11.16)
  • "Fasten Your Belt" love (2.5.16)
  • "You Beat Beatrice and Laura" love (2.1.16)
  • "Greatest Unsolved Mystery" love (1.23.16)
For the second round, I read:
The first poem in the second round I read: 1) because we had a poetess with the last name Frost reciting with us; 2) I'd forgotten to read it at the Northeast Storytellers Robert Frost memorial event the week before; and, 3) I'd submitted the poem to PSOV's The Mountain Troubadour last year (without luck). 

The last two I read as examples of my sentence poems.

Amazing Open Mic Experience: 19th Annual Bear Pond Books

Reciting poetry at an open mic can be an amazing experience. Or it can be one of intense agony waiting for the crickets to quiet down, pursed-lipped audience members to depart, and the wound-licking post-catastrophe nobody-liked-my-stuff period to begin.

Thankfully, reading recent poems this past Tuesday at the 19th annual Bear Pond Books open mic—part of the 2016 PoemCity Montpelier—was of the amazing variety. The crowd was fun, ready to laugh, and full of "atta boys" afterwards.

Just my kind of event, indeed.

I read a set of newer stuff (all searchable at this blog), from last Fall up to this April—oldest to newest. Poem titles were:

  • "As You Are Now" love (9.12.15)
  • "My Ardent Plea" life (10.15.15)
  • "Like a Flame" love (11.1.15)
  • "Nothing Much" life (11.12.15)
  • "Cookies" lifestyle (11.12.15)
  • "When Your Dreams All Scatter" life (11.12.15)
  • "Love So Baffling" love (11.14.15)
  • "In the Way" love (12.19.15)
  • "Listen to the Babbling Brook" life (1.17.16)
  • "For All Eternity" life (1.21.16)
  • "Harvest Fire Ants" love (1.22.16)
  • "That Green Roof" life (4.17.16)
Any aspersions I might have cast on the town of Glover, Vermont, career possibilities one might find there—or any possible future Puerto Rican lover—were completely unintended.

I spent much of the night gazing upward—toward the pink-painted roof with the shiny metal heating ducts—admiring the green dragon hanging down. Apparently it's flown there for many years, and may have come from a Montpelier store (Planet Something?) that's now closed. 


Friday, April 15, 2016

Geof Hewitt Poetry Slam | Kingdom Taproom | April 21, 2016

 St. Johnsbury, Vermont – Geof Hewitt will host a Poetry Slam as part of the PoemTown St. Johnsbury celebration on Thursday April 21 at 7:00 PM. at the Kingdom Taproom. For further information, please contact the Athenaeum at 802-748-8291 or the Catamount Arts blog.

A slam is a fun, often raucous poetry competition in which poets perform original work alone or in teams before an audience and judges. It began in 1986 at a reading series in a Chicago jazz club. Judging is not on content or style of the poem alone, but more for the manner and enthusiasm of the performance.

As Hewitt, a master of the game, reminds us: "the point is not the points, the point is the poetry.”

Since 2004 Hewitt has held the title of Vermont’s poetry-slam champion. He has competed in and hosted several events and has written Hewitt's Guide to Slam Poetry and Poetry Slam with DVD to inspire others to host and participate in this poetry venue. He visits schools and libraries throughout New England to conduct workshops for all ages above 7, sometimes just writing workshops, sometimes connected to or involving a slam.

Those who wish to compete on April 21 should bring two original poems to perform (they need not be memorized, but it often helps the performance if they are). Judges will be selected from among the audience members.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

They Got Religion?

Never miss a chance to catch Walker's Run with Danny Knicely on mandolin and Will Lee on banjo. These two were founding members of the Telluride-winning phenom known as Magraw Gap — along with Larry Keel and John Flower — and each is a legend in his own right.


Hitting the big time . .



If these legends — plus Walker's Run founder Brennan Gilmore on guitar and original member Zach Blatter on bass (not to mention Nate Leaf on fiddle) — could possibly be outclassed by the venue itself, The Hamilton certainly made a bid.
Brennan Gilmore

What a place. Beautiful, formal, fun. Like something out of Vegas. You can't sit there without thinking: "These guys have really hit the big time!"

Next Big Thing?


If you needed any more reason to go to the March 10, 2016 show in D.C., that reason was The Rondo Rigs — with Eric Robertson* on mandolin, Duncan Wickel on fiddle, and Nicholas Falk on drums. If my predictor still works, this group is going places. Super-smart lyrics, excellent musicianship. Great stage presence.

Where's the booze?


But the most remarkable thing about the show to me — having seen a few Walker's Run performances, and those of other bluegrass groups — is that not a single performer was drinking alcohol on stage. Each had a water bottle prominently displayed instead. None of those ubiquitous beer bottles.

What the heck happened!?! So many bluegrass songs are about booze, being drunk, or hiding the still from the revenuer. How can you possible perform real bluegrass music without being half-soused? 

Could the venue forbid performers from drinking on stage? Could the group have decided to go alcohol-free? Maybe their last number provides a clue. Mr. Gilmore invited members of the opening act to come back out and they did a really fun Jesus song ("if you want something, just ask Jesus").


Did they get religion?



SEE ALSO: "Knicely Done"

*with this surname and The Band-like sounds, one wonders if he might descend from Robbie.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Lawn Jam Line-up Saturday, June 27 @ Our Community Place

Lawn Jam Band Line Up and Performance Times

12:00-12:30 Scott Murray
12:45-1:15 Lightning Lucas Shrock-Hurst
1:30-2:00 Tom Weaver with Eric Olsen-Getty
2:15-2:45 Jeff Gorman with Eric Olsen-Getty
3:00-3:45 Bryan Elijah Smith (solo)
4:00-4:30 Many Nights Ahead
4:45-5:15 Greg Ward
5:30-6:10 kat & the travelers
6:15-6:45 Dr. How and the Reasons to Live
7:00-7:30 Charlottesville Community Drum Choir
7:45-8:15 Nic Melas
8:30-9:30 Regular Sauce Reunion

In other local music news, Old Crow Medicine Show has donated something for the charity auction or raffle. Wonder what it could be? Be at Our Community Place in Harrisonburg, VA on Saturday!!

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Willie Watson and The Steel Wheels Added to MerleFest Lineup

Folk singer Willie Watson performs on guitar, banjo, and harmonica and “can be murderous, bawdy or lustful, sometimes in the course of a single song, with a sly sense of humor that cuts to the quick.”

He was an original member of Old Crow Medicine Show, recording and touring with the group for over a decade before going solo in 2011.

Watson released his debut solo album, “Folk Singer, Vol. 1”, produced by David Rawlings, in early in 2014 and associate producer Gillian Welch on their Acony Records.

The Steel Wheels, making its third MerleFest appearance, will host the “Midnight Jam”—"the place to be for great late night music at the festival” according to artist relations manager, Steve Johnson.

They join dozens of other fine musical acts in the MerleFest 2015 lineup on 13 stages. MerleFest runs April 23-26 with an Early Bird discount available through April 22.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Upcoming Newport Folk Presents Shows

2015 CALENDAR OF SHOWS

2/24 • BOOKER T. JONES • CITY WINERY • NASHVILLE TN
–
2/28 • STEEP CANYON RANGERS • CITY WINERY • NAPA CA
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3/4 • BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO • CITY WINERY • CHICAGO IL
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3/6 • PUNCH BROTHERS • HOUSE OF BLUES • BOSTON MA
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3/8 • AARON NEVILLE • CITY WINERY • NASHVILLE TN
–
3/29 • MARY GAUTHIER & DAVID WILCOX • CITY WINERY • NYC
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4/3 • NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS • CITY WINERY • NAPA CA
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4/23 • HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF • PARADISE • BOSTON MA
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4/30 • JOE PUG • BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL • BOSTON MA
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5/2 • LORD HURON • PARADISE • BOSTON MA
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5/18 • COURTNEY BARNETT • SINCLAIR • CAMBRIDGE MA

Stay tuned for more shows – newportfolkpresents.com

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Cabin Fever Follies in Greensboro: February 14, 2015

Mark your calendars . . Time for CABIN FEVER FOLLIES!!!! Saturday, February 14 at Greensboro United Church of Christ.

There will be the usual pot luck supper at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, and the Follies begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Come for one or both.

If you would like to participate in the program or know someone who might be interested, please contact the church office or Anthony.

Where? Greensboro United Church of Christ
165 Wilson Street
Greensboro, VT 05841
Who? Reverend Anthony E. Acheson
How? 802-533-2223 or greensborochurch@gmail.com
When? by February 5 to express interest, with "program information" by February 11
Why? Because you have cabin fever!


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Poetry by Lynn Martin and Tim Mayo--Readings in the Gallery--October 15, 2014 @ 7pm

The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum hosts the last of its 21st annual Readings in the Gallery Series with a night with Vermont poets Lynn Martin and Tim Mayo on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m., followed by a reception and book signing. Space is limited and doors open at 6:30.

Lynn Martin’s poetry has appeared in such fine publications as Calliope, River City Review, South Florida Review, The Garden State, Green Mountains Review, and The Centennial Review. Her work appears in the anthologies Heartbeat of New England, My Lover Is A Woman, Tail Feathers, and Connections: New York City Bridges in Poetry. Her non-fiction has been published in the Mystery Review, Out in the Mountains, Foster Families, and the Southeastern Audubon Society newsletter. She is the author of Visible Signs of Defiance and Talking to the Day.

Lynn will be reading from a collection of her work. “Lynn’s style compliments that of the state of Vermont: sharp lines, a tough backbone, and an aesthetic the quality of moss,” says Meg Mott, writer and professor at Marlboro College.

Tim Mayo holds an ALB, cum laude, from Harvard University and an MFA from The Bennington Writing Seminars. His poems and reviews have appeared in Crab Creek Review, Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, Poet Lore, River Styx, Tar River Poetry, Verse Wisconsin, Verse Daily, Web Del Sol Review of Books, and The Writer’s Almanac.

His chapbook The Loneliness of Dogs (Pudding House, 2008) was a finalist in the WCDR 2008 Chapbook "Challenge" in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, and his first full length collection The Kingdom of Possibilities (Mayapple Press, 2009) was a semifinalist for the 2009 Brittingham and Pollock Awards and a finalist for 2009 May Swenson Award. An earlier version of this second manuscript was a semifinalist in the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Open Competition.

He has been twice nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology, four times for a Pushcart Prize, and was chosen as a top finalist for the Paumanok Award. He is a former member of The Brattleboro Literary Festival Author Selection Committee and currently lives in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Tim will be reading a selection of poems from his book The Kingdom of Possibilities and from his new yet to be published manuscript "Trapezing in God’s Country".

Please join them as they celebrate Vermont poets in the last installment of the Readings in the Gallery Series.

This program sponsored by the Fund for Poetry. Free, open to the public, 
and handicap-accessible. Book signing and reception to follow.

171 Main Street ● St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 ● 748-8291 ● www.stjathenaeum.org

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Open Mic in Lunenburg, Vermont: Saturday, September 13 @ 6pm

Bring your instruments, voices, and dancing feet or plan to sit and enjoy the outstanding local talent in a beautiful historic setting. Please bring a finger food to share, if you can. Beverages will be provided. The building is handicap accessible.

Admission $3. Family special: kids FREE when accompanied by an adult.

No need to preregister to perform. A sign-up sheet will be available at the ticket sales table.

WHERE: at the historic Old Congregational Church building, at the top of Lunenburg’s Town Common on Route 2.

WHEN: 6:00 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 2014.

MORE INFO: questions@topofthecommon.org or 802/892-5914.


Monday, August 18, 2014

Readings in the Gallery Series 2014: Wednesday, August 20 @ 7:00 pm

The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum continues its 21st annual Readings in the Gallery Series with POETRY AND VIDEO: Rachel Hadas, Jonathan Edwards, Shalom Gorewitz.

Rachel Hadas is Board of Governors Professor of English at the Newark campus of Rutgers University and the author of over a dozen books of poetry, essays, and translations. Her latest book of poems is "The Golden Road". Her awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship and the O.B. Hardison Poetry Award from the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC. Hadas is a long-time summer resident of the Pumpkin Hill area of Danville.

Shalom Gorewitz received his BFA in Multi Media from California Institute of the Arts and his MFA from Antioch International University in Video Art. His work has been shown on television and in museums, galleries, and cultural centers internationally. He is a Professor of Video Art and New Media at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Jonathan H. Edwards shares his literary pursuits with his work as a healing arts practitioner. He has a background in Eastern religious studies and traveled to India on a semester abroad program that focused on intensive Nepali language training. He completed the Ayurvedic Institute’s eight-month program and returned the same year to Southasia, this time on a year-long Fulbright grant which he used to study Ayurveda in its native land.

Preceding this program at 6:00 pm will be the dedication of Murray Dewart’s sculpture, Vermont Pilgrim and accompanying granite bench inscribed with verse by Hadas.

This program sponsored by the Fund for Poetry. Free, open to the public, and handicap-accessible. Book signing and reception to follow.

171 Main Street ●St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 ● 748-8291 ● www.stjathenaeum.org